CFA chief scoffs at media reports
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Chinese soccer chief Wei Di on Tuesday rubbished reports about him not wishing to see an Asian country win the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.
"I never said that I did not want to see any of the Asian countries host the 2022 World Cup," Wei, head of Chinese Football Association (CFA), told China Daily.
"It (the report) comes from nowhere. Such reports damage China's image. Officials from the Australian embassy even called us and wanted us to explain."
Wei was commenting on a number of reports in the Chinese media, which claimed he said he did not want an Asian nation to succeed in their bid for 2022 World Cup.
There are four AFC members bidding for the 2022 World Cup: Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Australia. If any of those bids succeed, the event will go to another continent in 2026 and scuttle China's 2026 bid .
However, Wei, who was inspired by the all-around influence of the World Cup during his visit to South Africa, insisted China should start its preparations for the bid as soon as possible.
"After I came back home from the World Cup, I started to consider the bid," he said.
"I hope our government is aware of the nationwide interest. The earlier we start to prepare, the more likely it is we will succeed.
"I believe China has the capability as well as the facilities to host a successful World Cup.
"I know four Asian countries are bidding for the 2022 World Cup. But it does not mean China cannot bid for 2026. We can still bid for it, even if an Asian country hosts the 2022 event.
"It's not all about success and failure. It's more about participation."
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